THE EDITOR, Sir:

Over the past several days I have become more and more distressed at seeing your advertisement about a lost Catahoula puppy, and Latoya Grindley's interview with the owner, Mr Robert MacMillan, in your edition of February 19th, has greatly increased my concern.

While my heart aches for Robert at the loss of his pet, I am disturbed that he admits to not being sure whether he strayed out of the yard, or was taken. This is a sure indicator that his property was not secured well enough for the protection of his animals.

Puppies do not stray through closed gates, or over walls or fences. They can, however, be lifted, thrown, or dragged over them. I would urge him in the future, in fact starting NOW since he has at least one other puppy, to make absolutely certain that his perimeter is well protected, and that his staff is fully aware of the need to be watchful at all times.

Dog care

The brutal fact is that dogs are stolen every day in Jamaica. They are taken for a number of reasons, and very few, if any, go to loving homes. Small dogs are sold to new 'owners' to be shown off at dancehall, and when they soon discover that the dog requires care, regular grooming and trimming to continue to look his best (all of which are going to cost money and effort), they have to decide whether to dump him and buy another (after all, stolen dogs are cheap), or take him in to a clinic.

The Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says a heart-breaking number of small dogs (German shepherd, doberman, rottweiler etc) are taken to be used as guard gods; they are chained, taunted and abused to make them 'bad' and live the rest of their lives in misery.

Others are forced into the cruel 'sport' of dog-fighting, either as bait to train a fighting dog, or as fighters themselves. This activity, incidentally, is just as illegal in Jamaica as cock-fighting. Then there are 'designer' dogs, such as the catahoula, much sought after in present-day Jamaica. They are often taken to be used as studs or breeding mothers, kept in cramped cages and forced to perform over and over again, and when their useful life is finished, so are they.

I would like to appeal to every dog owner, and everyone who cares about animals, to be acutely aware of the need to be vigilant. The thieves are just waiting for an opportunity to transport your pets to a life worse than death. When your dog disappears there is a chance, slim though it may be, that he might end up in a good home. But are you willing to take that chance?

I am, etc.,

CINDI SCHOLEFIELD

cindischo@

cwjamaica.com